From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network
Bengaluru, Dec 18: After flying at an altitude of 6 kms recently, public sector Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd.’s Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) project gathered momentum as the third prototype made its maiden flight.
The chopper was flown by Test Pilots, Wg Cdr (Retd) Anil Bhambhani and Gp. Capt (Retd) M R Anand V M.
The flight was flawless and this prototype would augment development flight testing in conjunction with other two Prototypes towards Certification. Based on the feedback from flight testing is built to the standard of deliverable configuration.
"With this achievement, LUH is now close to production clearance and HAL is confident of meeting requirements of the Armed Forces,’’ said R Madhavan, CMD-HAL.
"The successful completion of first flight of third prototype of LUH is a quantum leap and will soon replace the ageing fleet of Cheetah/Chetak,’’ says Arup Chatterjee, Director (Engg., R&D) HAL.
The LUH is a 3-ton class new generation single engine helicopter indigenously designed and developed by Rotary Wing Research and Design Center (RWR&DC) of HAL.
First flight of LUH was carried on September 6, 2016 and the second Prototype flew on May 22, 2017.
High altitude cold weather trials of LUH are planned in January 2019, Madhavan said.